Eastside: April 2014

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www.eastside-online.org

Vol. 48 No. 7

Cherry Hill High School East: 1750 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

I believe.

■ By Jacob Borowsky (‘16)

Eastside Sports Editor

For the first time in the history of Cherry Hill East, the Cougars varsity basketball team won its first sectional championship on March 11, 2014, with a 52-41 rout of the Cherokee Chiefs. Despite missing nearly half of the senior class due to the senior trip, East’s fan section, affectionately named the “Countrymen,” generated a massive attendance which dwarfed Cherokee’s fan section and provided the motivation the Cougars needed to pull out the win. When asked beforehand about the keys to winning the game, star point guard Jake Silpe (‘15) said, “[Cherokee] does a lot of driving kick offense. Everyone on the team can shoot threes and span the floor. That’ll be a challenge for us, but I think we have what it takes to win.” Silpe managed the entirety of the game, putting up an overwhelming 23 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds, with 2 steals to boot. After back-and-forth play throughout the first quarter, East held a 1410 lead, but because of scrappy Cherokee defense, East was only able to score 2 points in the second. The score was 18-16 Cherokee at halftime. As the third quarter commenced, the Chiefs appeared to be carrying the same momentum that they had in the second quarter, as they took a 22-17 lead over the Cougars. However, East did not lose confidence, and after the teams exchanged fouls, Silpe hit a huge three-pointer to give East a 28-24 lead. After the third, East led 30-24. The Cougars ran away with the game in the fourth quarter with help from two monumental threes from Austin Wetzler (’14) and Phil Cunha (’14) and perfect 14-for-14 foul shooting from Silpe. East’s defense was dominant all game, as was obvious from Cherokee’s meager 6-point third quarter. Cherokee wasn’t just missing shots; the team could not even get shots off before many of its possessions ended. The Countrymen stormed the court as time expired.

April 2014

Coach Dave Allen said he knew the team had a great chance to beat Cherokee after coaching the team to victory over Eastern the game before. He said the team edged out the Chiefs due to its great defensive play. “Against Cherokee, we wanted to try and limit their two top scorers,” Allen said. “Austin Wetzler (’14) and Phil Cunha (’14) did a great job limiting their scoring.” Although confident the team would win, Allen said the experience was still “surreal.” He attributed much of the team’s success to former East basketball coach John Valore’s many years as coach of the team. “Coach Valore built this program. The team had been so close, so many times – getting over the hump was a victory for Valore, the school and the players,” Allen said. Before the season, Allen said that the team’s goal was to reach its potential. He said he expected success if each and every player committed himself to the program. After the win, Allen believes the team far surpassed these expectations. “The team definitely overachieved this year,” Allen said. “We only had two players back with any type of varsity experience, Silpe and Wetzler, so to play at the level that we did all year long definitely surpasses all expectations for the team.” For next season, Allen expects the same product he saw this year. “Next year we’re just going to try and do the same thing. We are going to play the game with respect and exceed all expectations—whatever they may be—again,” Allen said. As for his recent personal victory, receiving the Courier Post’s award for South Jersey’s Coach of the Year, Allen expressed the same humility and gratitude he has shown all season long. “Coaches only win these types of awards because of the players. The players stayed focused and determined to succeed this March. We played our best basketball of the entire year in March. Because of the way they played, I was able to receive the honor,” Allen said. “It’s really a program honor, though – you can’t win it without the players.” Photo by Emma Wooten (‘17)/ Eastside Staff

Inside This Issue

Students shoot for environmental sustainability News/Features, Pg. 3

New restaurant in Moorestown is on point Community, Pg. 5

New spinoff intends to score many viewers Entertainment, Pg. 14


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NEWS/FEATURES EASTSIDE

Trades offer students unique opportunities ■ By Lamya Jaigirdar (‘15)

For Eastside

BOE logo by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

T h e Board of Education held its monthly A c t i o n Lydia meeting on GeorgeTuesday, Koku (‘14) March 25, at 7 p.m. Board of The first Education p r e s e n t a Representative tion, given by Mr. Don Bart and his partners, centered on formally introducing the Cherry Hill Public Schools application, which came out on Valentine’s Day. Bart detailed the app’s inception and its goals. Originally the app was meant to be an administrative tool, but as its development furthered, its purpose became directed at improving communication between all of the schools in the district, as well as the community at large. The free-to-download app, which notifies the community of all of the happenings in the district, is becoming increasingly popular, now having reached over 2,000 downloads. The second presentation, introduced by Mr. Jim Devereaux, related the process of the longanticipated boiler replacement project undertaken by the district. As the contract to proceed with this project was approved, the asbestos plaguing the school district will finally be removed. This, in costs, will add up to $8.9 million in facilities improvement for the cost of $3.6 million taxpayer dollars. The latter cost will pay debts and reduce fiveyear loans to three-year loans. Devereaux stated that the project will begin during this year’s spring break, and expects it to be completed by the end of the year. Because of the boiler replacement project starting during spring break, one of the original snow make-up days for seniors will now be May 17 instead of April 14. The two snow make-up days for seniors will take place on Saturday, April 26 and Saturday, May 17. Board of Education alternative representative Sagar Desai brought to light concerns over the potholes that the snow left behind in the student parking lot, and concerns over the backed-up traffic flow that the 7:30 a.m. start time has caused. The Board and its committees approved their Action agendas before adjourning. The April Work Session meeting will be held on April 8 and the Action meeting will be held on April 29. Read the entire Board of Education Update on eastside-online.org.

April 2014

Trade schools are focused on providing students with specific hands-on experience in a field which they wish to study. After approximately one to two years of study, a student attending a trade school obtains a license to start practicing in his or her particular trade. Ms. Carly Friedman, a guidance counselor at East, said, “Trade schools are a great option when students do not want to go to a four -year college, and also for students who know that they want to work in a special trade.” Trade schools are offered in a variety of fields, such as culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive repair, carpentry, manufacturing and technical fields regarding computers, medicine, electricity and more. Maegan Griffith (‘15) is interested in going to a culinary school. “I want to go to a trade school because I feel that with trade schools, you learn more about a specific job, rather than taking other classes that probably won’t help you in that field,” Griffith said. The advantages of attending trade schools, according to Friedman, are that they “give students the training they

need to obtain a job quickly, allow less academic and more hands-on experience, [and] tuition is cheaper.” East alumnus Andrew Klimek (‘12) attends a trade school at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. “I knew for a long time that I never wanted to sit behind a desk and not enjoy working,” said Klimek. Klimek is currently earning his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Manufacturing Technology, where he learns about the operations of a machine shop and its machinery. Already in his fourth semester, Klimek has the knowledge to read blueprints and use learned skills and tools to create objects. Although trade schools are meant for a specific trade, general education classes such as English and math are required as well. While these classes are required, Klimek spends the majority of his time (8-12 hours per day) in the shop machining, and after graduation he will hold a career in his chosen trade. Teachers at trade schools are also required to have work experience in the field in which they are teaching in order to give students premier instruction. Students interested in working in a specific field should consider attending a trade school to receive exclusive handson experience and knowledge in the field that they wish to pursue.

Art by Haley Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Students join Israeli Defense Forces ■ By Abby Hoffman (‘14)

Eastside Entertainment Editor

After high school, most Cherry Hill East students shadow the usual path of continuing on to college and graduating with some type of degree. Every year, however, a few members of the class opt out of the typical college experience for a new adventure—joining the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). For some, this jour-

I want to join] because I am Israeli [and] I wanted to serve my country, but also because it would give me more time to figure everything out and mature before I made important life decisions.” 
 To Lasman, joining the IDF has allowed room for maturation in terms of skills and educational conclusions. In order to join the IDF, most teenagers join Garin Tzabar, a program that

tics. “The best part about living in Israel is finally getting freedom and learning to be independent, and the best part about being a part of the IDF is that I feel like I am doing something important and it’s an experience I will always look back on,” said Lasman. Nevertheless, there are some challenging aspects to living abroad, including being away from family and friends. Lasman left everything behind to live on her own in a different country. Amit Alboher (’14), along with other seniors at East, has already started taking the initial steps to joining the IDF. Like Lasman, Alboher feels as though she is not quite ready for college, and she knows this experience will only help her mature be-

fore she is ready to take the next step in her life. Alboher said, “I feel like Israel has given me so much and has taught me so much as a person. Whenever I go there, I learn more and more about myself, so I want to give back to my country.” Alboher hopes to join the Navy or Air Force. Though the physical aspect is daunting, Alboher said that she is “not scared, just nervous that [she] won’t like it.” However, she is doubtful that is going to happen. Overall, by choosing to join the Israeli Defense Forces, this handful of East students prove that they are willing to take on a big responsibility in order to give back to their homeland, all while growing mentally, physically and emotionally.

Courtesy of Shiri Lasman (‘13)

East students often enter the IDF instead of attending college after graduation. ney seems unfathomable, but the few students who decide to fight for Israel see it as an honor to be able to serve their country. Within the Class of 2013, Shiri Lasman, May Doar and Noy Chetrit all joined the IDF, thus moving to Israel and starting a new life overseas. Lasman wanted to join the IDF right out of high school. She said, “Not only [did

facilitates service in the Israeli Defense Forces for children of Israelis and Diaspora Jews not living in Israel. Within Garin Tzabar, there are five seminars that serve to assist in decision-making, communicate information regarding military service and Aliyah to Israel, provide practice for learning Hebrew, build a support system and take care of essential emigration logis-

Courtesy of Amit Alboher (‘14)

Seniors Ran Chetrit (bottom left) and Amit Alboher (top right) pose with their fellow IDF trainees at a seminar before joining the IDF.


NEWS/FEATURES

April 2014

EASTSIDE

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Environmental students implement sustainablity project ■ By Julia Rothkoff (‘16)

Eastside Community Editor

Climate change has always been a controversial topic and a group of students at East are doing something about it. Seven students in Mrs. Gina Oh’s Environmental Studies class attended the 4-H Climate and Environmental Change Summit at Rutgers University in New Brunswick on December 12, 2013. Since then, the students have been working on creating a film to help spread the message about climate and environmental change. Oh opened up the conference only to her juniors. “Seniors are already accepted into colleges. I [thought] it would be a nice opportunity for juniors to try this and put it on their college resumes,” said Oh. The conference in December included students from grades 8 through 12. Students who attended the conference met with college professors who spoke about the science of climate change. “We learned about a guy that lives in Antarctica for part of the year, watching the ice melt. He’s saying that it looks really bad down there right now…the penguins are dying. It was a very eye-opening experience,” said Oh. Climate change is a growing problem all around the world. A major cause is the use of plastic bottles, which contain petroleum and oil products and release carbon dioxide. For their project, the seven participating students are carrying reusable water bottles by the compa-

Nicole Taylor (‘14)/ Eastside Staff

S’well water bottles are now being sold for 25 dollars. ny, S’well. The students are hoping that carrying these water bottles around school will help to promote less plastic use; therefore, there will be less oil dependence and fossil fuels used. These actions will also create less carbon dioxide in the air “The purpose of the climate change conference is to arouse publicity of the climate change issues and to come up with some sort of project in our school and upload it to a YouTube video to tell the community about what we did,” said Oh. On March 27, the students made a trip to Rutgers University in New Brunswick once again to present their film. The school with the best film gets an award, but Oh said that the award

is not the reason for participating in the conference. “We aren’t really in it for the award… we just want to really make it a quality video, though, to let people know what we are doing,” said Oh. In the film, the students included themselves selling the bottles to send the message that by promoting the usage of reusable water bottles, they are reducing carbon dioxide emissions. “People are not going to spend money on plastic, which is going to be around for 500 years, just sitting in a landfill. [However, people will use] something like [a reusable water bottle] that you can use for 20 to 30 years and not cause any trash at all,” said Oh.

Sarah Sorgentoni (’15) is one of the participants in the program. She— along with the other six students—hopes to make a positive change for the environment. “There are minor changes people can make in their daily lives to make a difference. All they have to do is become informed,” said Sorgentoni. The project’s goals are to create a more environmentally friendly school and community. Using reusable water bottles allows students who know little about the environment to make a difference. “The project is a really good opportunity to make a change in our community,” said Sorgentoni. The students are organizing a sale of the S’well water bottles. The bottles are already being sold for 25 dollars during Oh’s Environmental Studies classes. “We want the student body to realize plastic water bottles are extremely unnecessary. People don’t realize how much the negatives outweigh the positives with plastic water bottles,” said Sorgentoni. Students plan to promote the usage of reusable water bottles even after the conference. “We also want to apply for a grant to get a Brita hydration system put into our school over an existing water fountain. So, if a kid brought something like [a reusable water bottle] to school, he could just fill it up right there for free and it would be clean, good-tasting water,” said Oh. The students are also focusing on planning events in April for Earth Week.

Friedman revitalizes East’s website ■ By Meghna Kothari (‘15) Eastside News/Features Editorr

This past winter, East’s school website underwent renovation as computer technician, Mr. Rick Friedman, who took over the webmaster position from Mr. Mike Dappalone, gave it a complete transformation. Friedman started designing the new website six to eight months ago because he thought it was about time to revitalize the website since it had not been changed in over five years. Friedman wanted to make the website more relevant to students at East. He wanted the students to feel more involved with the school, which is why he decided to update the links, pictures and many other attributes. He even contacted teachers, students and club advisors to encourage them to email in any pictures or links that they wanted featured on the website. The new website has a completely new layout along with new

features. It includes links to the seven most searched for phrases at the bottom of the website, such as Student Activities, Athletics and Drama. Friedman also included the school colors, the school insignia and, of course the school mascot, the cougar, on the homepage in order to represent East. “I just wanted to show everything that East stands for [on the home page],” Friedman said. In addition to quick links everywhere on the homepage, Friedman added the feature of a yellow note that presents all of the latest school news and information on school events that he learns about. “I love seeing all the kids together and having a great time. I really love that closeness and so the more people know of what is going on, it brings that togetherness,” Friedman said. Many students have also been questioning who the mysterious kid in the corner of the website is. Friedman wanted to use a picture of his son or any student at East,

but he wanted to avoid the legalities, so he resorted to the Web and used a picture of the happiest student he could find. Essentially, he has no idea who the kid is. “I would have loved to add a picture of someone who goes to East,” Friedman said. Friedman wanted to revitalize the website in order to make it easier for users to navigate and successfully find links that are commonly searched for. To do this, he made features more accessible on the homepage as far as informationa. That way more information and links are available upfront without continual searching. Friedman also wanted to avoid cluttering the website. “I see a lot of people going on [the website] and I like that, because in the smaller aspect of it, I know that I’m helping somebody or I’m making it easier for somebody to be able to find something. And that’s one of the main reasons I redid the site. I wanted to make it a lot easier for people to find what they needed,” Friedman said.

SGA Update logo by Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

Newly elected school president, Darren Hwang, talks about his upcoming plans for the 2014-2015 school year and the changes he plans on implementing as president. As the n e w l y elected school president, I would really like to Darren increase Hwang (‘15) communication between Student Government and administration. I think communication between these two groups is extremely important in order to accurately voice the students’ opinions. Something else that I really want to improve is what is known as the Student Leaders Committee, which is composed of representatives from every club of East. We have meetings every fourth Tuesday of the month where representatives discuss what is going on in their clubs. I think that these meetings have a lot of potential to become a very powerful tool to unify the students of our school. It also serves as a nice way for clubs to show support for each other, so I really want to work on getting more people from different clubs involved in this committee. I am hoping that by the end of the year, the committee has a representative from every club at the monthly meetings. Also, I look forward to planning a few fundraisers as well as continuing with some traditional ones such as 3 vs. 3 Basketball. With a school of over 2,000 students, I believe we have a lot of potential to give back to the community, more so than we are already giving. Lastly, I would really like to improve communication between students and their respective class SGAs. In my opinion, it is of the utmost importance that Student Government and students have a strong relationship because SGA serves as a direct middleman to help students voice their opinions. Overall, I look forward to leading the school for the next year and cannot wait to get started. --Congratulations to the class officers for the 2014-2015 school year: President: Darren Hwang (‘15)

Computer art by Haley Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Vice Presidents: Brett Dashevsky (‘16) Sofia Gracias (‘15) Eric Grayson (‘15) Kennedy Omari (‘16)


NEWS/FEATURES

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EASTSIDE

April 2014

Costume Department adds flair to East productions ■ By Kailtin Boyle (‘17)

Eastside Staff

Each spring and fall, the Cherry Hill community flocks to the East auditorium to watch the drama productions. While enjoying these plays and musicals, the audience has little knowledge of the weeks of preparation put in not only by the cast and crew, but also by the C o s t u m e Department. Noel Davis, a nurse at YALE schools, began getting involved with costuming in 1997 when h e r s o n was a freshman at East. “I did not have any costume experience before East,” said Davis, “but I have been sewing since the age of 10.” Davis eventually took over as Costume Director from 2001 until 2005 while her daughter attended East and resumed her position in 2008. Davis balances her responsi-

bilities as costume director with her full-time nursing job. “It is very difficult to work as a school nurse and also do the costumes. Many days, I leave my job and then go to East until 10 p.m.,” she said. Her hard work, however, is greatly appreciated by all of the students working with her. She spends time teaching students and mothers how to sew and design their own costumes. Katie Carlson (‘14), a costume seamstress, began working with Davis when she was a freshman. “Noel h a s

r e ally made my experience at East special. She’s not only

Logo by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director Photos by Meghna Kothari (‘15)/ Eastside News/Features Editor Art by Haley Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

We asked...

If you could study abroad, where would you go?

If you could create an app, what would it be called?

If you could transform any book or movie into a play, which would it be?

If you could be king/ queen of any country, which would it be?

Canada

Showerhead

James Cameron’s Avatar

‘Murica

Australia

Whale World

Frozen

Italy

Spain

Purple Giraffe

Eleanor and Park

United Kingdom

New Zealand

Neglectful Parent

Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Spain

Connor Roth (‘17)

Cassidy Pawliczek (‘15)

Gabi Lopez (‘14)

Mr. Figueroa

my ‘boss’, but [also] a very close friend,” said Carlson. “She took a nervous, clumsy freshman and taught her how to make something out of a pile of fabric.” Davis, along with the students in the costume crew, begin planning the costumes weeks before opening night. “When I find what show I will be costuming, I start to do research,” said Davis. She explains that this includes not only researching other productions of the play online, but also examining clothing from the time period of the show and consulting the actors for their opinions. The next step is to gather the materials necessary to construct all of the costumes. “We start searching through the costume closet where we store all of the donations and previously assembled costumes,” said CarlArt by Haley son. Davis also searches Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside for fabrics at stores any- News/Features where from PhiladelEditor phia to New York City, in addition to trips to thrift shops. She has also been known to take clothing out of her own family closets. After all of the materials are procured, Davis and her crew of mothers and students get to work putting the costumes together. Carlson explains that Davis supports creativity by allowing the students

to experiment with new styles and designs. Cast members appreciate the time and effort spent by the costuming crew. Sarah Kahn (‘14) recently played Amneris, a character with an elaborate wardrobe, in the spring musical “Aida.” “The costume crew is really innovative when it comes to finding [and] making enough costumes for 100-plus students to wear,” said Kahn. “For my character alone, Noel shopped at Goodwill, searched through her family’s closets and made dresses from scratch.” Likewise, Allison Shapiro (‘17) began performing in East productions this year, and was fascinated by the skill of the Costume Department. “It’s amazing that this is a high school Theater Department,” said Shapiro. “Noel is amazing at what she does.” The creative costume crew proves that there is more to drama than strong vocals and bright sets. Their elaborate and well thoughtout costumes help the characters bring every scene to life.


COMMUNITY

April 2014

EASTSIDE

PB&U makes nutty food for any time of day

nanas, pickles, bacon, raiand when paired with the could perhaps be better on a sins, pretzels and chocolate crunchy peanut butter, it waffle or artisan bread that chips. The pizza can be was an amazing mixture they also offer. They even served either in a half or of textures. Our next slider advertise that they have Have you ever dreamed a whole size. The price for was the honey, cinnamon gluten-free bread. Other of having peanut butter for the half is $5.75 and the sugar, raisin, cream cheese options for the sliders that breakfast, lunch and dinprice for the whole pizza we didn’t get ner? If yes, then PB&U is is $11.50. The toppings include peafor you. Nestled across the on my half pizza were nut butter otherwise bleak food court delicious and the perfect with bacon, at the Moorestown Mall, combination. However, cheddar and this bright restaurant is the pita bread that it was pickles, or baa diamond in the rough. served on was a little odd. nana, bacon Although the store is The sweet toppings might and honey. physically small, what it pair better with a sweetWe ended lacks in size, it makes up for er crust, such as a cookie our feast in taste. While the offerings rather than a doughy pita. with the peavary from food such as pizWe then sampled the nut butter za, sliders, sandwiches, fonsliders. Sliders come in fondue. We due, waffles and smoothies, threes for $6.50, and you were given they all have one thing in can either choose a prethe option to common: peanut butter. made combination or crehave apples, When I first walked in, ate your own. We decided bananas, I was taken aback by the to choose the pre-made pretzels, powide range of options. The combinations. Our first tato chips or Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor pound large menu was on a chalkslider was the banana, cake board above the counter. chocolate chip and pretzel PB&U offers a variety of peanut butter to dip in the themed concoctions. My mother fondue. We and I must opted for the have spent and home-style peanut butapples and pretzels, which a good 10 ter slider. This combination nicely complemented the minutes was overly sweet and goopeanut butter fondue, but staring at ey. It had too many ingrecost us an extra three dolthe menu, dients and did not create a lars in addition to the alcontemcohesive blend. Our third ready four-dollar cup of plating slider was the traditional fondue we purchased. our selecPB&J slider. We were able We were in and out in a tion. It to choose from strawberry, matter of thirty minutes; was lunchraspberry and grape jelthe service was rather time on a lies—we chose strawberry. quick. There were a numSaturday The peanut butter to jelly ber of other customers enand we ratio was way off. The peajoying their Saturday lunch were both nut butter completely overthere as well. While we starving. whelmed the anticipated left quite full and content, Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor We first taste of sweet jelly. While I felt that for lunch it was opted for Customers wait to place their orders. it was interesting to try out a tad too sweet. I recoma Nuteldifferent combinations on mend trying PB&U for a la, fluff, the sliders, the rolls were snack or a dessert rather M&M and regular peanut and peanut butter combilike little mini hamburger than a meal to truly apbutter pizza. Some other nation. It was a satisfying buns, somewhat too bready preciate it. I know I will possible toppings are bamixture of salty and sweet, for this dessert-y meal. It be back soon for just that. ■ By Leah Korn (‘16)

Eastside Staff

Blue Daze offers fun novelty items

there is a large array of clothing and knickknacks. Everything in the store is For Eastside different from most items that are offered elsewhere. If you ever desire or are Trinkets made to celebrate in the need for a novelty different holidays are largeitem, Blue Daze is the place ly in stock during the time of to go. Blue Daze is a novelty that specific holiday. In adcollection store that carries dition, the store offers spea wide variety cial sports articles of items. This during the season unique store is in which the sport located in Maris played. Besides lton, and has sports and holibeen open since day items, novelJune 2013. ties from different Blue Daze is a shows and movies family business are always availowned by Ryan able in the store. Bloomer. So far, “The items there is only one speak for themlocation. Kelly selves,” Ryan Bloomer, mothBloomer said, er of owner, said noting that there that they “would truly is something love to open anthere to meet anyother location, one’s wishes. but will see how Blue Daze is business goes.” a perfect store in Their busithe area to buy a ness has been variety of fun and adequate—as of creative products. now—and will There are novhopefully conelty items galore, tinue to get betmaking it always ter. an entertaining The store trip. The store is chiefly carries great to buy a fun and sells Tbirthday gift for Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor a friend or famshirts, yet this new store also Blue Daze is open from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. ily member, or sells other items perhaps an enjoyincluding jewable purchase for elry, greeting cards, sweathave the Philadelphia PhilThe products are preyourself. Be sure to look up shirts and hats. Also sold lies or Eagles sports logos made, which enables the “Blue Daze” on Facebook so are various cardboard cutto support our hometown customers to buy the items you can view pictures of the outs of different celebrities. teams. The T-shirts typiright in the store. Upon newest and most fashionThe people pictured on the cally cost about $17.99, but walking into Blue Daze, able items. ■ By Maddie Phillips (‘17) and Elise Goldstein (‘17)

cut-outs are notable, famous people such as rock stars and politicians. Centered on the T-shirts are several design options such as funny quotes, sports teams and TV and movie characters. Since the store is located in the southern New Jersey area, some shirts

often there are sales that can lower the price. The T-shirts are fitting for boys and girls, as well as a wide variety of ages The clothing showcased throughout the store comes in a variety of sizes, suggesting that there is always something for everyone.

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Zoës Kitchen: Southern twist on Mediterranean food ■ By Emily Reisman (‘16) For Eastside

With colorful, striped walls and abstract paintings hanging all around, Zoës Kitchen gives off a great vibe to any customers walking in and to people just strolling by. Located in the Promenade, this fun and casual restaurant is perfect for family dining or for grabbing a quick bite to eat during a lunch break. Zoës Kitchen is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with a southern twist, including many different choices for all ages. The menu includes a children’s section and also indicates the items that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, when served without pita bread, “Zoës Favorite” and the “Southern Classics”. The prices are very reasonable and allow for a variety of people to enjoy their food. Instead of having a waiter take your order, you order your meal up at the counter. The service was great with quick delivery to the table and extremely kind employees. The Hummus and Pita was served with pita and olives on top of the hummus. The pita bread was extremely fresh and toasty. The hummus was deliciously creamy and melted in my mouth. For a starter and only $4.99, I was very pleased with the taste and portion size. The Tuna Salad Sandwich for $7.29, not as wellknown as the hummus platter, was served on seven-grain bread and included lettuce and tomato along with the albacore tuna. The bread was a little sweet, which complemented the acidity of the tomato nicely. The tuna was soft and filled up the entire sandwich and without the lettuce and tomato was a little dull; however, when all put together, it tasted very good. The sandwich came with a side dish and I ordered rice pilaf, which was nothing special, and towards the bottom there were multiple pieces of hard and uncooked rice. Finally, the Chicken Pita Pizza, at $8.99, was the stand-out dish for the whole meal and consisted of mozzarella, feta, fresh basil, marinara and came with a side Greek salad. The dark, rich marinara sauce coated the bread perfectly and created a saucy combination with the chicken and cheese together. The size was just right for a personal pizza and even to share with another friend. Overall, eating at Zoës Kitchen was a very pleasant experience, and I will go there again soon. The ambiance was very bright and energetic, which I loved. The food was pleasing and reasonably priced, and the service was quick. Zoës Kitchen is a great choice for all ages and for a good dining experience.


COMMUNITY

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EASTSIDE

April 2014

French chocolatier creates delicious treats in South Jersey

Kaylin Magosin (‘14)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief

Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. There are three variations of tours available, from $15-29, with a minimum of 10 people. Contact chocolatrium.us or 856-486-9292. ■ By Kaylin Magosin (‘14) Eastside Editor-in-Chief

High-end French chocolatier, Chocolat Michel Cluziel, now has its U.S. headquarters in West Berlin, NJ. Started in 1947 by Michel Cluziel in France, the company’s original United States headquarters—Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA—was located in Pennsauken until it moved to West Berlin three years ago. The headquarters serves as a retail store, manufacturing and distribution center, as well as a corporate office. “We’re a French chocolate manufacturer; we’re headquartered in Normandy, France, or the Normandy region of France, and this is our U.S. headquarters. From here what we do is we distribute all over the US,” said Alan Green, Director of Sales and Marketing for the United States headquarters in West Berlin. Every month, Green explained, they get a container from France. This container is filled with various products. It arrives in Cluziel’s New York City location, and then is carted to the West Berlin headquarters. Globally, there are only three places to purchase Michel Cluziel chocolate directly from the company—New York City, Paris and West

Berlin. The West Berlin location serves as a retail store open to the public, but it is mainly a center for distribution. “We distribute to the finest restaurants, pastry chefs [and] stores in the US,” said Green. For example, they distribute to hotels, including Sofitel, a French high-end hotel chain with many locations throughout the United States. “If you’re in your room, and they put chocolates in your room… it’s usually from us,” said Green. Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA provides amenities such as these to various high-end establishments across the country. Locally, Michel Cluziel chocolate can be found in the Four Seasons, Parc and Rittenhouse hotels in Philadelphia, Fig and Olive in New York City, and Trump and Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Green said, “The highest end stores in the country carry our products.” Aside from selling chocolate, the West Berlin headquarters also manufactures chocolate on-site, including “decors,” or chocolate cake decorations, such as spheres and curls. The Moshulu in Philadelphia is just one of the local restaurants that uses these products. Everything that is made on-site at the West Berlin headquarters by the

French chefs is non-dairy and kosher. As a corporate office, the West Berlin location oversees the retail store, manufacturing and distribution, and sales and marketing throughout the United States. Interns from France also work at this location. “We learn from them, they learn from us,” said Green about the interns. One of the interns, Judith Rakotondralay, whose focus is marketing, said, “We are here to learn professionally, so it is a great experience, we get skills because it is a small business…the bosses are here to mentor us.” Interning at Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA provides many opportunities for the interns. Qentin Feger, another French intern, with a concentration in sales, said, “Since it is a small company, we have lots of responsibilities. I have a lot of friends in France that are doing their internship there, and they don’t have much responsibility there, so it is not very gratifying. You don’t get much from it. Since [here] it is a small company we do a lot of things, obviously more. And being in an English speaking country, it is even better.” Starting last year, the West Berlin headquarters began offering tours of its “Chocolatrium.” “We started the tours for high

school French classes back in March [2013]. We did very well, and we got a good response up until June,” said Green. East’s own French Club even toured the Chocolatrium in the fall. “I thought it was a lot of fun. It was really cool because they spoke French as well as English [on the tour]. We’re going to hopefully go again this spring,” said Sidney Heier (‘14), Co-president of French Club. Since its inception, people from all over the greater Philadelphia area have now visited Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA for a tour, including 55-and-over communities, assisted-living communities and others. “We did almost every community in South Jersey,” Green said. The tour consists of learning about the history of chocolate, from ancient times to the present day, the history of Michel Cluziel and his family, the chocolate-making process and a chocolate tasting. Taking a tour of the Chocolatrium is both a fun and educational experience. “We have people come who are absolutely astonished when they leave when they have the education along with the taste and what we do here,” said Green. Nestled in South Jersey, Chocolat Michel Cluziel USA is a worldclass establishment.

hours with my youth group, and began to go about my duties of servas heartless as that sounds, ing food and cleaning up tables, I it’s the complete truth. witnessed a mother walking in However, my experience at with her four children. As I the Catheserved this famdral Kitchen ily, the mother ev ent ua lly began to explain allowed me how mortifying to realize it was to have that, as cliché to rely on as it sounds; a soup the only ackitchen to tion more provide for fulfilling her famthan reily. She exceiving plained that is giving her husband back. had passed I first entered away recently The Cathedral and because Kitchen with an he was the only attitude of false source of income at enthusiasm, if the time, her famnot bitterness. Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director ily has been sufferHowever, as I ing financially ever

since his passing. Not only was I moved to tears by this woman’s story, but I was disgusted at myself for the way I approached the opportunity of assisting the less fortunate. After this incident, not only did I begin to put my sincere effort into my community service that day, but I also returned on several different occasions to help at the Cathedral Kitchen. My work at the soup kitchen has allowed me to not only help those in need, but it also allowed me to develop a sense of personal satisfaction. After working at the soup kitchen I have learned to become more grateful for what I have, but more importantly, I have learned to become less judgmental of others. I am forever thankful to that mother for not only sharing her story, but also for inspiring me to change my perspective and opinion on reaching out to help others through community service.

Student helps the needy at The Cathedral Kitchen ■ By Tooba Hussain (‘15)

For Eastside

I recently became involved as a volunteer at a soup kitchen located in Camden known as the Cathedral Kitchen. At the Cathedral Kitchen, anyone in need is given access to two meals a day as well as a third to take along with them. The Cathedral Kitchen is kept sanitary and festively decorated, giving its “visitors” more than a simple meal. The purpose of the Cathedral Kitchen is to provide those who are less fortunate with a meal accompanied by a very “homely” atmosphere. If I told you that my experience at the Cathedral Kitchen was excellent from the moment I walked in, I would be blatantly lying. In all honesty, I was less than excited to be spending my Saturday cleaning tables for community service


OPINIONS

April 2014

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A national debate kicks off over team name ■ By Ben Goldsmith (‘17)

Eastside Staff

In recent months, it was almost impossible not to read or hear about the controversy surrounding the name of the NFL’s Washington Redskins team. In addition to the NFL, some high schools have also been scrutinized for their team name, including Neshaminy High School in Pennsylvania, whose football team is also called the Redskins. If used in a derogatory context, then yes, the term could be considered insensitive or even racist. But as the name of a sports team, it is harmless. The owner of the Redskins and the NFL have been under a great deal of pressure to explain themselves and, more importantly, to change the name of the team. As with every argument, there are always two sides and usually another viewpoint somewhere in between. Many are strongly in favor of forcing owners to change the beloved names of their teams. However, there are a few points that should be taken into consideration before making a sweeping change to all of these teams’ names. First, according to a study conducted by the Smithsonian Institution, Native American language historian, Ives Goddard, the origin of the word “Redskin” is “entirely benign.” Goddard goes on to explain that Native Americans themselves were the originators of the term, which they used to describe themselves differently from the “white skins” that later came to their land. Second, there are significant financial costs involved in these name changes. The NFL figures the amount it would cost to rebrand the team would be extremely large. These costs would have to be split among all 32 teams. The other team ownerships would not have a say in having to pay these extraordinary costs. Eventually, prices for tickets, refreshments at games and merchandise would have to be increased and the fans would be paying in the long run. In addition, how would township residents like to have their taxes raised in order to re-brand schools, signage, fields, etc.? Would they be given the right to vote on this like they do for other

school elections? The teams using these names are not using them to depict Native Americans as anything other than strong, brave and mighty. Also, the name is not being used against any one particular Native American person in a hateful way. In fact, the team’s use of the name Redskins is used in a very positive, even historical, way. Though many may argue that the Washington Redskins should change their name, the term is not derogatory unless used in a

Helmet by Rachel Pacitti (‘15) / Eastside Art Director

derogatory context. As the name of a football team, the term suggests only positive connotations, such as strength, pride and bravery. And the costs involved in a potential rebranding to change the name would be way beyond any current budget. So, as of right now, all we can say is, “Hail to the Redskins, Hail Victory, Hail to the Redskins, Fight for Ole DC!”

the four-million dollars to run during the Super Bowl. The commercial Eastside Staff shows many pictures of many famous historical Native Americans, “Redskin” is a racial descriptor and also many modern Native Amerused for Native Americans. The icans, while positive descriptions are term originates as a derogatory way spoken. The powerful commercial to describe Native Americans’ apends with an image of the Washingpearance. There is no reason that ton Redskins helmet, and says that the Washington Redskins should Native Americans call themselves continue bearing this label. This many things, but not Redskins. harmful, ethnic stereotype needs to This leaves an extreme impact on be abolished. Because “redskins” is the viewer, because it proves that an offensive term, it is an inNative Americans are extremely ofappropriate name for fended by the term Redskins. an NFL team. At its best connotation, the word It is underRedskins can be seen as offensive. stood that However, it can also be portrayed m a n y as being just as bad as the N-word. R e d The head of the Fritz Pollard Alliskins ance, which monitors diversity in fans the NFL, expects the league to enforce a rule, saying that players will be penalized 15 yards for saying the N-word anywhere on the field. The term Redskins is an offensive, racial slur just like the N-word. The NFL is finally making progress by banning the N-word, but how is it that that word cannot be spoken on the field, yet the word “Redskins” can be the name of an entire team? At Neshaminy High School, located in Langhorne, PA, the school newspaper, The Playwickian, made the decision not to print the word “Redskins,” which is the name of the sports teams there. Sometimes at Neshaminy, the welcome sign says: “Everybody do the Redskin Rumble.” This is entirely inappropriate, especially at a school where the goal is to teach students about racial and ethnic acceptance, and not to stereotype groups of people. It was exceptionally courageous of the Neshaminy newspaper editors to refuse to print the term “Redskins”. They stood up for their own morals, knowing that the word is highly disrespectful. The administration of the school should be ashamed Logo by Spencer Maussner (‘16)/ For Eastside of themselves for punishing the editors, when what they were support this name and do not want doing was merely taking a peaceful it to be changed under any circumstand for what is ethically right. stances. However, if we just keep The term “Redskins” is offensive letting these small ethnic slurs go, and should not be the name of a nathey will soon be all around us. The tional football team. The University prejudices that Americans have tried of Utah Redskins became the Utah so hard to eliminate still exist, and if Utes in 1972, the Miami University we continue to let these racial slurs (of Ohio) Redskins became the Red slide, racial prejudice will continue Hawks in 1997, and the Southern to worsen. Nazarene University Redskins beThe National Congress of Americame the Crimson Storm in 1998. can Indians created a meaningful The Washington Redskins should be commercial that they did not have next. ■ By Leah Korn (‘16)

Implementation of healthcare reform has been flawed ■ By Matt Fontanilla (‘15)

For Eastside

Shortly after his inauguration, Obama announced to a joint session of Congress that he intended to reform the American healthcare system. After deliberation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), colloquially known as ObamaCare, was signed into law on March 23, 2010. It had the intent of increasing the number of Americans covered by medical insurance, streamlining the delivery of health care services, and restricting certain health insurance practices. Aside from the creation of the insurance marketplace, Healthcare.gov, many of ObamaCare’s policies have already been put

into place. Some policies, such as denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions, and the removal of pre-existing conditions altogether, aim to protect the sick. Some of his policies aim to improve welfare, like requiring chain restaurants to display calorie amounts on their menus, and the specification of expenses on a bill. (Before ObamaCare

the insurance marketplace aimed to provide insurance to millions, a massive task for any organization. Like all modern websites, such as Facebook and Amazon, Healthcare.gov is separated into a front-end client side that displays information to people and the back-end, which does all the heavy work such as record personal information, calculate subsidy eligibility, and plan enrollment, among other tasks. The government did not give a single company the duty to build the marketplace, but instead decided to divide up the work to many companies. Instead, the job was only divvied up among major D.C. power players, many of which have failed in the past. Most notably of which is the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), which was given $380 million to im-

“Massive reforms such as ObamaCare do not go without flaws.” was passed, insurance companies could charge a vague ‘administration fee’ without specifying the fee). Massive federal reforms such as ObamaCare do not go without flaws, the biggest and most noted one being the initial failure of Healthcare.gov. Healthcare.gov is

prove the FBI system, went $220 million over budget, and eventually scrapped the project. Through the policies enacted through ObamaCare, millions of Americans will be able to access affordable health insurance through Healthcare.gov, and over half of uninsured Americans can get free or low cost insurance through the marketplace. However, opponents of ObamaCare assert that it will hurt American society as the government is forcing the public to buy insurance, enforcing a mandate that fines both citizens and many employers for not cooperating. ObamaCare’s opponents also argue that the act will greatly increase the federal deficit, though the Congressional Budget Office has stated that completely repealing ObamaCare would increase the deficit by $210 billion over

a 10-year period. ObamaCare is still under debate despite its passage into law in 2010. On March 5, 2014, House Republicans cast their 50th vote to change ObamaCare, passing a change that would delay the individual mandate by a year. The change still needs to be approved by the Senate and signed by the President. Healthcare enrollment due to ObamaCare is on the rise, with three-million enrollments since its creation in October 2013. Although these numbers are good, they fall short of the policy’s original goals. However, the law is still young. And many of its policies have yet to be enacted. The debate about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act is still out there. But one thing is for sure: ObamaCare is here to stay, and its policies will benefit Americans for many years to come.


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April 2014

Common Core and Marzano cannot cure a sick system ■ By Rui Zhang (‘15)

Eastside Staff

This year, we have seen the implementation of the Marzano Method, a private corporation-created program, and the Common Core, a new national curriculum. Both are systems that aim to fix an ailing educational system. The state of New Jersey, along with a number of other states, has chosen to adopt both, with the goal of improving the quality of public education. However, like all solutions to a complex problem, these two “solutions” are not without their faults, which they share with their predecessors. Their two major faults are generalization and reliance on tests. The first problem is their effort to generalize education. In the top nations in terms of education (of which the US lags far behind), educational funding is done on a national level, distributed evenly to all schools regardless of district or performance. However, in the US, education is done on a local level where a school’s funding is dictated by how well the district does, resulting in unequal educational funding for different districts. For poorer districts that have trouble fixing and replacing broken equipment, finding suitable

teachers and keeping students in school, implementing an entirely new policy comes as a challenge, doubly so when it comes with a new teaching criteria. Unless governments try to reduce the funding discrepancies between districts, a national curriculum will be ineffective as it would simply fall to dust in poorer districts, which is the target group for these policies. However, the funding issue is only part of the problem. The second part lies in its emphasis on conformity. All US

curricula must rely on some sort of success measurement, and for many, this measurement is standardized testing. But, standardized testing is never a true measure of success. These tests are prepped for beforehand, which skews data. Also, these tests narrow curricular focus as teachers only have the ability to teach what is on the tests. Most significantly, these tests promote a culture of test reliance. It is not uncommon that teachers will only teach what is going to be on a test. Unless the standard is extremely broad and involved—with the test e q u a l l y

broad—many teachers might find no point in teaching beyond what is absolutely necessary. However, this is not the only issue that these two “improvements” bring; they also promote the [false] belief that teaching can be gauged by a standard. The Marzano Method, based in meta-analysis (assumptions made on data that does not necessarily influence one another), breaks down teaching into a series of “best methods” that Dr. Robert Marzano believes work. He makes the case that every single student will be able to achieve the same level of success regardless of ability level or situation, which is a terrible assumption. Students are not items on an assembly line that can be fed information that society deems important, but instead students are organic beings that rely on stimulus that promotes learning (i.e. students grow for society). This also means that every student’s needs are completely different and a teacher must be able to address that in the classroom. But the Marzano Method tries to make an overall teaching style that would work for all students, which is simply not the case. Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director See MARZANO, pg. 9 The Common Core and the Marzano Method cannot cure an ailing education system.

Let students evaluate their Praising AP course policy teachers with subjective scale ■ By Lamya Jaigirdar (‘15)

periencing the class; this person is not participating in it throughout the school year. There is no solution to this issue How would you like to tell your other than to create an evaluation teachers what you really think of based on an subjective scale that them? And what if doing this would would be distributed to students improve your education along with halfway through the year and again the education of future students? at the end of the school year. Some For too long, students have been questions that Killion includes are sitting in the midst of their teach“How do you think the rigor of the ers’ lessons without any say in how class is?” “Is the amount of hometo improve classroom practice. So work appropriate?” and “How do why not give students the chance I do explaining various topics of to evaluate their teachers based study?” The students would comon an objective scale? It is time for plete the evaluation anonymously. Cherry Hill East to accurately asCompleted copies would be distribsess its uted to teachers both the “It is time for Cherry Hill East to by giving specific a voice teachaccurately assess its teachers by to those ers and giving a voice to those who know to w h o the k n o w administhem best: the students.” t h e m trators. best: the These adstudents. ministrators would then formulate Not only will these evaluations an overall assessment of the teachallow students to express their ers, factoring both the students’ opinions, but they will also enable evaluations as well as their own. teachers to enhance their teachIf you pick up any dictionary ing techniques. Students can comand search “criticism,” you will ment on weaknesses observed in find a relation to the words “nitthe class and teachers can fix or picking,” “disapproval” and “faultimprove those aspects. Likewise, finding.” However, think about the teachers can be made aware of word in a larger context. It can techniques their students find parmean “to assess for the purpose of ticularly beneficial and continue to reconstructing or even improving.” practice them. It is a win-win situThese evaluations will be utilized ation. for students to help improve their Mr. Jeff Killion, an East matheducation through constructive ematics teacher, has his students criticism. complete a short evaluation at the As Abraham Lincoln once said, end of the year. “He has a right to criticize, who has “I like to know what people a heart to help.” By implementthink about my class and how I ing a system in which East stucan improve as a teacher,” said dents evaluate their teachers on Killion. a subjective scale, students would Typically, administrators evalufinally be granted their right to ate teachers by observing a specific criticize. Through exercising this lesson. This is not effective enough right, students’ intentions to help simply because whoever is evaluwould at last be manifested in imating the teacher is not truly exproved quality of education. ■ By Drew Meklinsky (‘16)

For Eastside

For Eastside

Guidance, said, “A former district supervisor wanted students to have the option to go into any class they want, as long as the decision is made appropriately with guidance from parents, teachers and counselors.” Riordan also points out that the course selection handbook has no

Here at Cherry Hill East, many Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered. From Psychology to Calculus, AP classes are designed to be similar to college courses for those hardworking and determined students who are passionate about a certain subject. Students who are enrolled in an AP class usually take a standardized, College Board-designed test in May. These AP tests, with scores ranging from 1 to 5, demonstrate a student’s proficiency in a certain subJordan Stein (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor ject matter. AP test scores can count to- AP classes at East are open to everyone. ward college credits and can really bolster one’s academ“prerequisites” to take a class, but ic transcript. rather “recommendations.” Although AP classes are chalCherry Hill East holds students lenging, students do not need to responsible to their ability to sucpass a placement test to enroll in ceed in an AP class. East will not AP classes at East. This is a positive discourage a student in A/R level feature of the academic experience classes from switching into an AP at East. Many other high schools level class as long as the student do require such tests, which assess understands the difference in matestudents’ knowledge and proficiency rial, is willing to work hard, and is in a particular subject to determine willing to adapt to the new academic appropriate course placement for environment to strive for success. a student. At East, it is great that High school students should have these tests are not required because the ability, at this age, to know what they are simply unnecessary. they can handle academically. “I enjoy taking AP classes because East also allows students to drop I like working with people who are a class if they struggle to maintain a interested in the subject that they good grade. So in case a student does are taking,” said Hannah Lam (‘15), not do as well as he or she hopes in who has enrolled in five AP classes. an AP class, or if the class is too dif“[In AP classes,] the teachers go in ficult, he or she will have the ability depth and explain why things hapto drop the class. pen as opposed to just rote memoriWithout placement tests, East zation.” gives its scholars the freedom to exAP students like Lam are selfplore academic options on their own, motivated and thrive academically. to ultimately find a suitable classMr. Jim Riordan, Director of room environment.


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Marzano h.u.m.a.n. vending is not all healthy vending

Continued from page 8 Here at East, the implementation of the Marzano Method was not one of great grief for many, as it simply required replacing one standardized test with another while teachers would put up an act for a day to appease some supervisors. However, it is annoying and sometimes very d i s tracting to have to take a day out of a unit to appease bureaucracy, and may even sometimes even get in the way of teaching, as it would restrict the flow of knowledge. In addition, the fact that teachers are judged based on a rubric and not on how well they actually perform (many times, excellent teachers have been graded poorly based on Marzano’s rubrics) is simply counterintuitive and possibly harmful to morale. Teaching is an art that cannot be reduced to some magical solution. It is a difficult process that requires experience i n order to perfect, not some guidelines and research. The bottom line i s , everyone is unique and there is no way to get around that. The Common Core and the Marzano Method ignore this. Instead, they attempt to cure an ailing education system using a method based on standardized tests and generalization. This kind of “cure” will never work.

■ By Rachel Brill (‘15) Eastside Staff

You cannot fail to notice the brightly-colored h.u.m.a.n. (Helping Unite Mankind And Nutrition) vending machine in each cafeteria. The implementation of a vending machine that claims to sell nutritious snacks seems to be a step in the right direction for promoting health in the East community. However, only some of the products sold by this h.u.m.a.n. are actually healthy. Most students buying snacks at the vending machine thought that it does sell many nutritious snacks, among a few less healthy choices, and that one just needs to exercise common sense when choosing what to buy. It is essentially up to the student to make the right, informed decision. “Veggie chips and Clif Bars [are healthy],” saidTheresa Johnson (’14). Maegan Griffith (’15) took a different stance: “No, it’s not [healthy.] I can tell you right now,” she said. The only definite way to find out is to examine the nutrition facts of the products. Ranch-flavored Corn Nuts contain 220 calories, 300 mg of sodium, 125 mg of potassium, 34 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of protein. The high amount of potassium and protein is good. But the high amount of sodium, which can be found

Emily Cao (‘16)/ Eastside Staff

The h.u.m.a.n. vending machine offers a variety of products.

in many processed foods, raises an alarm because too much sodium in one’s diet can lead to high blood pressure. The Veggie Straws also are high in sodium content; do not assume that these are an appropriate alternative to vegetables. They have 130 calories and 250 mg of sodium. “Many of the products have a lot of salt, like the chips,” said Hannah Fliegel (’15). “It’s a good alternative to what they sell at the school, but it’s still really bad.” Yet many products do live up to the vending machine’s claim to overall healthiness. T h e chocolate

chip Clif Bar has 230 mg of potassium and 10 g of protein for healthy sustained energy. It is important to realize that Clif Bars are meant to be eaten during and after vigorous physical activity, not as part of your lunch. The 240 calories and 43 g of carbs, therefore, are appropriate for this product. The chocolate chip cookies have a lot of sodium, but are low in calories and carbs. The package of chocolate chip cookies has 120 calories, 7 g of fat, 115 mg of sodium and 15 g of carbs. Obviously, the water bottles are the healthiest option in the vending machine, since water is a necessary part of your diet and contains no calories. Another drink you can get is the Izze. Although the Izze can actually states that the drink is “Not a low calorie food,” it has a fairly low calorie count of 90 calories, and is packed with Vitamin C and only 15 mg of sodium and 21 g of carbohydrates. If you educate yourself on which products sold by h.u.m.a.n. are actually healthy, you can indeed buy yourself a healthy snack from the vending machine. But do not fool yourself into thinking you are doing your body a favor if you buy just anything from it. Not all of the snacks sold by h.u.m.a.n. are good for you. If having a healthy snack is important to you, avoid the vending machine and just bring your own fruits and vegetables.

Ending cigarette sales, CVS places health over profits ■ By Brooke Greenberg (‘17) Eastside Staff

In February, CVS Pharmacy announced that it will stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products. By next October, no CVS store will carry these products. It is the first store of its kind to stop selling tobacco products. It is estimated that because CVS is stopping its sale of tobacco products, it will lose about 2 billion dollars in sales. CVS is trying to lose its reputation as a large mass retail store and rebrand as a large, convenient health care center. Many of its stores already offer things that a health care center would, such as flu shots and a “MinuteClinic” emergency care facility. CVS, an extremely large pharmaceutical retail company, will greatly benefit from the lack of tobacco products in stock. The change will strengthen its reputation as a “clean pharmacy,” and its stores will appear more customer friendly. It will appeal to more customers because it will appear as more of a health facility opposed to a drugstore. CVS is actually moving away from the standard pharmacy selection and putting the customers into perspective in what they want in a pharmacy. Simply, CVS is putting its customers first. Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO of CVS, has stated how inappropriate the selling of tobacco products is in a healthcare setting. In a New York Times article titled “CVS Vows to Quit Selling Tobacco Products,” Merlo said, “We came to the decision that cigarettes and providing health care don’t go together in the same setting.” He said that CVS is envisioning what its customers would prefer in a healthcare-like facility, and is transforming each of its stores into more of a mini doctor’s office and less of a big box retail store. Although CVS will not continue selling tobacco products, it will continue to sell other unhealthy items such as sodas. Soda contains health-hazarding chemicals, and as a healthcare facility, CVS should stop selling it too. After all, what makes the chemicals in soda much “healthier” than the chemicals in tobacco? CVS is making a beneficial decision to stop selling tobacco. This is a great step for the company in becoming a cleaner pharmacy. If the company really wants to show its commitment to becoming a customer-friendly health facility, the next step should be eliminating other unhealthy items sold at the stores such as soda. It is noteworthy that CVS is trying to make beneficial changes to improve the lives of its customers and improve the quality of the stores.

Smoking art by Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director


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EASTSIDE

April 2014

UNDERGROUND

Top Education Apps 1. Kaplan SAT® Quiz U provides three free diagnostic tests, one for each section of the SAT. These tests allow you to see your progress as you complete more practice quizzes. After completing the tests, you can view video explanations for each question. It is a free app, but the extra practice tests cost 99 cents each.

2. SAT Max

April 2014

EASTSIDE

Although apps like Twitter, Pandora and Candy Crush may be number one on the App Store’s charts, Eastside editors dug deeper to find some of the best underground apps the store has to offer.

Top Photo/Video Apps 1. Vodio allows you to watch Internet videos from multiple sources in one convenient location. Connect it with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to watch videos from friends, or select feeds such as Entertainment, Highlights or Sports and let the app discover them for you.

3. Ace the SAT

3. Your Moments

2. Getting Nuts

1. Deskconnect acts as Airdrop between Macs and iPhones, making it easy to exchange files among your devices without the need of sending e-mails or messages to yourself. From photos to websites to documents, the app supports a huge range of files. Once a file is sent, it appears almost instantly on the destination device.

3. Cliff Diving

Top Health/Fitness Apps 1.Fitlist allows you to choose from a plethora of exercise activities, ranging from martial arts to fencing to squats. You will be rewarded with points after each workout, which can be claimed at any time. The more demanding the activity, the more points you will win. The points serve as a motivational purpose, for Fitlist awards you with a variety of different prizes.

2. Withings

Top Music Apps

Top Social Media Apps 1.Tweetlogix is a third-party Twitter app. You sign in with your Twitter account and then are introduced to a similar Twitter platform that is used with the official Twitter app. Tweetlogix has a slick, tight look that is aesthetically appealing to users and has easy navigation to access all aspects of a Twitter account.

2. Type and Walk 3. Instamessage

Top Sports Apps 2. Improvox

1. Basketball Arcade Machine is like other basketball apps in the sense that you have to flick a basketball into the hoop with your finger, but it is better than other apps of the sort because once you get a certain number of points, you move on to another level. As more points are scored, the levels get harder.

3. Intune

App Distribution in the App Store

Top Android Apps

1. Zombies, Run! 5K Training is an eight-week training program and audio adventure that helps improve your fitness so you can run a 5K. There are clear instructions that are combined with sound effects from a zombie adventure in which you are the hero. It makes working out more entertaining so going for a run is not as dreadful, making 5K training easier.

2. Workflowy 3. Paper Karma

3. Cardiio

1.8tracks gives a unique feel to personalized music playlists. It allows you to create playlists for each other. Instead of picking a genre or band to generate more music of similar taste, 8tracks allows you to pick certain “tags” to begin the listening experience.The website then browses for user-created playlists based on these tags.

2. Video FX

Top Productivity Apps

Top Games Apps 1.Conde is an app in which you have to connect two different points using a Tetris-like block. This game is very similar to Flow, so if you enjoyed Flow, you will also enjoy Conde.

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2. Zedge 3. Hugby

1. Games: 206,786 available apps 2. Education: 119,086 available apps 3. Lifestyle: 91,477 available apps 4. Business: 90,960 available apps 5. Entertainment: 88,945 available apps There are a total of 1,153,821 apps available in The App Store. Information courtesy of 148apps.biz

2. Virtual Table Tennis 3. Flick Kick Rugby Kickoff

Education App reviews by Rachel Cohen (‘15)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief Game App reviews by Molly Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside Humor Editor Health/Fitness App reviews by Dani Roth (‘15)/ Eastside Entertainment Editor Music App reviews by Kayla Schorr (‘14)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief Photo/Video App reviews by Jordan Stein (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor and Eric Thompson (‘14)/ Eastside Video Editor Productivity App reviews by Bogdan Vitoc (‘16)/ Eastside Underground Editor Social Media App reviews by Rebecca Cohen (‘15)/ Eastside Underground Editor Sports App reviews by Nick Ciocco (‘14)/ Eastside Sports Editor Andriod App reviews by Alison Wooten (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor Kaplan’s SAT Quiz U screenshot courtesy of apptism.com Conde screenshot courtesy of droidforums.net Fitlist screenshot courtesy of getm.pt 8tracks, Deskconnect, Tweetlogix screenshots courtesy of The App Store Vodio, Basketball Arcade Machine screenshots courtesy of appannie.com Zombies, Run! 5K Training screenshot courtesy of play.google.com Top Charts logo by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director All ratings courtesy of the App Store



EDITORIAL

Page 12

EASTSIDE

Editorials represent the views and opinions of the Eastside Editorial Board.

A t this point in the academic year, many students become stressed and, therefore, adopt negative views about the school. Because of this, Eastside has decided to praise two areas of East rather than dwell on another aspect. Eastside would also

April 2014

Cherry Hill High School East 1750 Kresson Road Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Phone: (856) 424-2222, ext. 2087 Fax: (856) 424-3509

like to recognize that these two facets of the school must be continued with both student and teacher involvement in order to sustain the positive reputation they elicit. Both the Countrymen and Habitat for Humanity exist because of the continuing legacy that is passed on from graduating students to their families and friends. Both of these communities, in addition to several other factions of East, can only continue if passion becomes instilled into future students at East. Eastside encourages students to become involved in such communities so that they continue to flourish.

Countrymen unite the East community Although the Countrymen may not be running around the court and shooting baskets, they play a large role in East basketball each year. Eastside would like to commend the Countrymen for their school spirit and for what they do for the East community on and off the court. Since the Countrymen’s inception in 2005, current East students, parents, alumni and even future East students, namely younger Cherry Hill children, have flocked to the DiBart Gym to support the Cougars varsity boys’ basketball team. Participating in this fan section unites the student body as well as the East community. “My favorite thing about it is that it brings everyone together. There’s a lot of people you wouldn’t see out and about, that you’ll see at a game, especially at the big games, come playoff time,” said Zach Friedman (’14), a leader of the Countrymen this year, following in the footsteps of his older brother, David Friedman (‘12). For regular season games, East’s fan section usually consists of about 40 to 50 students. The Countrymen also travel

to cheer on the Cougars at away games; East provides a bus that transports the Countrymen to the opponent’s school. During playoff games, 400 to 500 East students have attended, filling up nearly half of the DiBart Gym. The fact that the DiBart Gym was still filled with close to 500 students despite the seniors being away on their senior trip during the Group 4 sectional title game versus Cherokee on March 11 proves the uniting capacity that the Countrymen have had on the East student body and the entire community. In a similar manner, EEW (East-Eastern-West) hockey’s fan section began this year and has a solid fan following. With a regular crowd at each game, just like the Countrymen, the EEW Man Advantage fosters school spirit and unity by cheering on fellow East students. Eastside commends both the Countrymen and the EEW Man Advantage fan sections for the example they have set. Because fan sections have the power to unite the East community and generate school spirit, Eastside hopes that more fan sections will form to cheer on other East athletic teams.

East offers unique spring break experience through Habitat For ten years, the Cherry Hill East Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter has served as an active outlet for students who seek to make a difference for communities in need. The national organization’s mission statement asserts that “every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.” Eastside strongly commends the Cherry Hill East Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter for giving students the opportunity to offer first-hand assistance to surrounding communities, educating students about the fortune of having shelter and being the only school in New Jersey to have such a unique program. Eastside actively participates in all of the missions the East Habitat chapter has to offer, so this praise comes from firsthand experience and not heresay. Last year, eight editorial board members embarked on the Collegiate Challenge spring break trip, which made up 25% of the Eastside board. Not too often can someone say that they helped give someone a basic human resource: shelter. Additionally, the missions

offer unique bonding experiences between students and teachers that not many other clubs offer. Although the East model of Habitat is beginning to spread to other schools, East is truly the only school in New Jersey that offers students the opportunity to travel to other destinations, build and renovate homes and change the lives of people in need. Eastside would additionally like to commend the Habitat chaperones and advisors that make this organization possible. Ms. Rion and Mr. Console work extremely hard throughout the year to ensure that the Collegiate Challenge and other smaller weekend trips are coordinated efficiently and affordably. Ms. Brahms, former East science teacher, has also come on the Collegiate Challenge trip every year even after retirement. The amount of time and effort put into planning these trips does not go unnoticed. Eastside as well as Habitat participants sincerely thank all advisors, chaperones and other adults affiliated with organizing and overseeing this program.

Past Habitat spring break trips: 2005: Franklin, WV 2006: Clarksdale, MS

Eastside Online http://www.eastside-online.org

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Letters to the Editor

Submit signed letters to F087

Awards

The International Quill and Scroll Society, The American Scholastic Press Association, The Garden State Scholastic Press Association, The Temple Press Association, and The National Scholastic Press Association.

Letters to the editor are always welcomed! Drop off letters to F087 or email letters@ eastsideonline.org

2007: New Orleans, LA 2008-10: Johns Island, SC 2011: Bay St. Louis, MS 2012: Maryville, TN 2013: Birmingham, AL 2014: Albany, GA

Friends of Eastside Benefactors

Sherrie and Jeff Cohen Mark and Deborah Wilson Sherri and Ken Hoffman Robin Pacitti Colleen and Don Hudson Erica Rothkoff

Sponsors

Camelia and Rado Vitoc The Borowsky Family Shari Dickstein Divyesh and Hemali Kothari Phyllis and Don Hoffrichter

Patrons

Ed and Lynne Cohen

Contributors

Dublin Square Resturaunt Amy Purdy Carlos and Archana Amaro Cass and Henry DeMayo Jean Cristiano Annette and Stan Thompson Cucinilli Family The Shralow Family The Wooten Family Jennifer Grossman Sari Cohen

Managing Editor: Thomas Hudson

Helene C. Roth Mindy and Michael Schorr Mary Vange

Advocates

Keith Dickstein George Zografos Gilana Levavi Arthur and Thelma Purdy Angelique Aeillo Rashmi Sheel Dipa Sriastava Dewesh Srivastava Kayla Schorr Jake Walsh David Yang Ping Liu Jonathan Lee The Stein Family

Editors-in-Chief: Rachel Cohen, Kaylin Magosin, Kayla Schorr

News/Features Editors Meghna Kothari Haley Schultz Jenna Wilson

Opinions Editors Keshav Amaro Alex Grayson Gilana Levavi

Photo Editors Andi Leff Jordan Stein Ali Wooten

Sports Editors Jacob Borowsky Nick Ciocco Marlee Zeitz

Entertainment Editors Abby Hoffman Dani Roth

Video Editor Eric Thompson

Community Editors Allie Grossman Julia Rothkoff Underground Editors Rebecca Cohen Bogdan Vitoc

Humor Editors Lanxi Li Molly Schultz

Katie Harris Jackie Tighue Casey Kuczykowski Amit Alboher Kerry and Doug Fizz Mike and Maggie Randall Mr. Bill Semus Mr. Killion The Magosin Family Diane Aronson Laura Turkienicz Love On a Hanger The Hersh Family Linda Ross The Meyers Family Zoey Abrams Emily Lichtenstadter Emma Hollenberg Karen Magosin Rodio (‘83) Jack and Anne Magosin

Radio Managers Brielle Clearfield Frankie Rossetti Art Directors Rachel Pacitti Helena Sirken

Webmaster Maya Mintz Business Managers Abe Granoff David Linsky Adviser Mr. Greg Gagliardi

Eastside’s Staffer of the Month

Contact the Board: To contact a member of the Eastside Editorial Board via email, type the person’s first name followed by a period, then his or her last name followed by “@eastside-online. org,” ie: brielle.clearfield@eastside-online. org.

November: Kaitlyn Boyle (‘17) December: Grace Shen (‘16) (Note: There is a dash January: Steve Mirsen (‘16) February: Ben Abbaszadeh (‘15) between “eastside” and “online”)


COMICS

April 2014

EASTSIDE

And the Winner is... by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

Wishful Thinking by Ben Abbaszadeh (‘15)/ Eastside Staff Tux Decision Group by Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

Christy Marrella-Davis College Consultant 311 Tearose Lane Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 Home: 856.795.4143 • Mobile: 609.744.8666

Email: cmarrella@aol.com

“Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kickinyourapps

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Page 14

ENTERTAINMENT EASTSIDE

April 2014

High school dances do not live up to Hollywood expectations acters wait in anticipation for the next song to play. Regina George would never subject herself to such boredom. Legendary movies, such as Grease, never show characters having a dull moment, while in reality, the dances can become quite mo-

torn between the decision to go to the dance with her best friend, Duckie, whom she always has For Eastside fun with, and Blake, who is rich and popular. Meanwhile at East, we are faced with a similar As kids, we watch various television shows situation. It is common for students, freshmen and movies about high school and the cool, highly and sophomores in particular, to take a random anticipated school dances that come along upperclassman to their dance; this is with being a high school student. We wait seen as the typical thing to do. Most anxiously for our turn to take part in this kids take upperclassmen to Freshman excitement; however, once we reach ninth Dance and Sophomore Cotillion as per grade, we realize quite quickly that these tradition, but is it really worth going dances do not live up to the standards Holwith a total stranger, as some people lywood makes them out to be—at least not do, just to keep up with social norm? at Cherry Hill East. Another phenomenon that our school We expect dances to be a school-wide dances lack is “kings and queens.” In a party, with everyone dancing to good, upschool full of competitive teenagers, it beat music and having fun with a date is not a surprise that this competition, or friend. Despite these expectations, at which could be perceived as somewhat East, dances are almost exactly the oppoof a popularity contest, is nonexistent. site. Most dances consist mainly of people In almost every epic school dance scene, standing around awkwardly while a quesa king or queen is crowned. tionable “DJ” plays the same top-40 songs Classic scenes such as Cady Heron that are always on the radio. Some of these receiving the crown of “Spring Fling songs are impossible to dance to, and at Queen” in Mean Girls, or Carrie White these points the awkwardness increases. getting pigs’ blood dumped on her head Though scripted, movies never portray in Carrie, show truths about the stuan imperfect, typical dance at high school. dent body and create excitement in Movies always show the girls looking movies that is absent in real-life dancnearly perfect, while the boys are dressed es. in their best suits. As demonstrated in Overall, dances seem much cooler the famous Grease scene, perfectly choreoin movies. Our school lacks these epic graphed, in-sync dance sequences do not Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor dance numbers, but we must also unhappen at a normal high school dance. The East cafeteria is incomparable to the venues in Hollywood derstand that Hollywood perfection Movies do not show these imperfect mo- productions for high school dances. does not exist in reality. Hollywood ments, though. Never in Pretty in Pink or gives high expectations for school dancMean Girls or any such movie would chares, but at the end of the day, we should acters simply stand around and look bored. Movnotonous. appreciate that our dances do not end like those ies portray the perfect dance scene as all charAndie (Molly Ringwald) in Pretty in Pink is in Carrie. ■ By Cara Stein (‘16)

How I Met Your...Dad?

■ By Olivia Gross (‘17)

Eastside Staff

It is hard to believe that viewers of “How I Met Your Mother” have been watching the Mosby children sit on the couch for nine years, listening to Bob Saget’s voice recount the path to meeting Ted Mosby’s wife. CBS has recently announced that “How I Met Your Dad,” a spinoff series of “How I Met Your Mother,” is expected to air in fall 2014. This show will feature a new cast and new characters, with returning writers from “How I Met Your Mother.” The show will focus on a new group of friends based in New York City. Greta Gerwig, who is expected to play the mom, Sally, will tell the story of “How I Met Your Mother” from a female perspective. According to Entertainment Weekly, Sally is a “female Peter Pan who has never grown up and has no idea where she’s going in life.” Along with Greta Gerwig, two other actors have been enlisted. Drew Tarver is set to play Todd, Sally’s best friend and roommate from college who is now married to her brother. Also casted is former NBC “Smash” star,

Failed Spinoff Series

Joey - The “Friends” spinoff quickly failed after two short seasons. It focused on the life of Joey Tribbiani pursuing his acting career in Los Angeles. Joey brings his sister to Hollywood with him and finds a new roommate. Maybe this show failed because we all know the only roommate he should have is Chandler Bing. Saved by the Bell: The College Years - This spinoff series of “Saved by the Bell” followed the lives of Zack Morris, A.C. Slater and Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers. The one-season show did not live long enough for viewers to see how each of the characters adapted to life after graduating Bayside High School. Haley Schultz (‘14)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

Krysta Rodriguez. She will play Juliet, Sally’s best friend. When CBS announced that a spinoff series was in the works, fans of the series were excited to continue the party that is “How I Met Your Mother.” However, some fans, were not too thrilled about this announcment as the television network does not have the best history with spinoffs.

Ravenswood - The “Pretty Little Liars” spinoff did not come off pretty to fans of the predecessor. The show focused on five strangers plagued by a Ravenswood curse. The shortly lived spinoff will keep viewers wondering if the curse was ever broken. Baywatch Nights - In this not-so-remembered, unsuccessful “Baywatch” spinoff, detectives of an LA county beach’s lifeguards solve uninteresting crime. This show must have flopped, considering it did not involve Pamela Anderson.

A Full House relationship makes a comeback

din video games. Bure, on the other hand, has found success through Eastside Staff television movies and is currently on “Dancing With the Stars.” Nineteen Scott Weinger and Candace Camyears since eron Bure, also known as the poputhe series lar Steve Hale and DJ Tanner finale, the from the hit ‘90s sitcom “Full duo will House,” are set to reunite join toon “The Neighbors.” gethThe beloved couple er on shared 34 episodes tot h e gether on the later seaA B C sons of “Full House.” Steve s i t was always in the Tanner com to household admiring eirekindle a ther DJ or the food in her missed rorefrigerator. mance. After the show’s ending In this halfin 1995, neither star has enhour countered problems with s c i finding work in HollyRachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director encewood. fiction Weinger starred in Discomedy, the famous teenage loveney’s animated film, Aladdin, and birds are expected to play new visicontinues to use his voice for Alad■ By Emelia Keller (‘17)

tors in the alien neighborhood. The storyline revolves around a family, the Weavers, living in a neighborhood of extraterrestrials. The

Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

extraterrestrial community welcomes the Weaver family, yet they talk like robots and have strange hab-

its that do not compare to those of ordinary families. The community’s secret is kept until one of the extraterrestrials shows the Weaver children a “trick” in which he claps his hands above his head and turns into a bright green creature. “The Neighbors” is currently airing its second season and the episode guest starring Candace Cameron Bure and Scott Weinger is expected to air as the season finale for the ABC comedy. The season finale, which does not have a set airdate yet, should not disappoint viewers, considering that Weinger produced and wrote the episode. From the romantic times in the Tanner household to the hectic times in the Weaver household, this reunion has been long overdue and avid Full House viewers cannot wait.


April 2014

ENTERTAINMENT EASTSIDE

Late-night entertainment at its finest ■ By Zach Wohl (‘15) Eastside Staff

It seems everybody is talking about late-night talk shows. The 11:00 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. spots that television channels are perseverant in filling have recently been plugged with talk shows. With talk shows popping up after every popular television show (i.e. “Walking Dead”) and the retirement of Jay Leno and the rise of his replacement Jimmy Fallon, it is safe to say talk shows are all the buzz right now. However, it has been the satirical talk show that has been gaining momentum for some time now. What is meant by satirical talk show is a program that does not devote most of its time to interviewing, especially celebrities. That being said, “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart and “The Colbert Report” with Stephen Colbert are two fine examples. In fact, these two shows combined have won the last 11 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety Series, beating out the likes of Letterman, Leno, Fallon and Conan. It’s safe to say that viewers and critics enjoy becoming more aware of what is going on in the world and less of a

celebrity’s favorite restaurant. These satirical, seemingly more politically-oriented talk shows treat viewers to a lesson on what is going on in politics while also giving a quite humorous ring to it. Not to mention, the guests are more “relevant” in that they have careers which might actually impact the viewer. Not only do the relevant guests attract more viewers, but the personality of the hosts do as well. Yes, this is true with every host, with Fallon showcasing his youth and pop culture awareness, Letterman his conservative enthusiasm, and Conan with his… quirkiness? But, it’s the more specific personalities of hosts like Stewart and Colbert that draw people in. Both adopt different attitudes, with Stewart being a Democrat sympathizer and Colbert being an overly exaggerated sarcastic Republican. These adopted mentalities help to differentiate the late night pool of hosts while simultaneously adding a more logical explanation of international news. As these shows gain popularity, the future looks bright for more hosts and talk shows to emerge and become popular to the public. Whether a person is looking for a flat-out political satire or a celebrity guest interview, late-night television offers a plethora of options.

John Oliver from “The Daily Show” and desk by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

Is 5 Seconds of Summer the new One Direction? ■ By Jenna Wilson (‘15) Eastside News/Features Editor

Up and coming Australian boy band, 5 Seconds of Summer, is set to take over America for its first American headlining tour “Stars and Stripes and Maple Syrup.” The band, which was formed in Sydney in 2011, consists of vocalists Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood —who both also play guitar—as well as bassist Michael Clifford and drummer Ashton Irwin. With a distinct pop rock sound—similar to Fall Out Boy’s riff guitars mixed with One Direction’s pop hooks—the quartet is clearly headed for stardom. In the past, the band has released covers of songs such as All Time Low’s “Jaesy Rae,” as well as produced its own original songs. The band’s most popular, “Heartbreak Girl,” was released in 2011 and tells the all-too-familiar story of being stuck in the friendzone, which almost everyone can relate to. The band had two successful EP’s, Unplugged and Somewhere New. Despite the its large international popularity and numerous Twitter followers, it has yet to release a full album. In January, it dropped a new single, “She Looks So Perfect.” The single debuted at number one in Australia, and has been steadily climbing both the Billboard

and iTunes charts in the United States and around the world. The song, which carries the same tune as One Direction’s smashhit “What Makes You Beautiful”—only blended up with pink hair dye, leather and studs— talks of being enamored w i t h the

ous girls dancing in their underwear to the chorus, “She looks so perfect standing there/ in my American Apparel underwear” clearly shows the boys’ humorous outlook on life. Their catchy singles and likeable personalities have gained the band popu-

larworld’s i t y most perthroughout fect girl. the years. Maussner H e m m i n g s Spencer It is hard to cat(‘16)/ For Eastside croons, “Your lipegorize 5 Seconds stick stain is a work of Summer strictly of art/ I’ve got your name as a boy band. For one, all tattooed in an arrow heart/ of the members play instruand I know now/ that I’m so ments and the band does down.” The cheeky video, not have a cohesive style, which consists of numerand matching costumes are

nonexistent. Bassist Cliffords’ hair has been every shade of the rainbow, and Hemming sports a lip ring quite frequently. Their appeal is secured in their differences—it’s punk rock for the younger set and safe for all ages. The band has yet to come to tour in America, for it has only toured in Australia, New Zealand and Britain. On February 19, however, the band announced it would be touring America starting in April. Its ten-city tour sold out within minutes, and the current average price of 5 Seconds of Summer’s North American tour is 346 dollars, which is 311 dollars over face value. After announcing its tour, the band also announced another EP, She Looks So Perfect, which dropped on April 1. The album lineup includes the single, “She Looks So Perfect,” along with other original songs like, “Heartache on the Big Screen,” “The Only Reason” and “What I like About You.” This summer, 5 Seconds of Summer will also be joining One Direction, as the boys open for One Direction’s “Where We Are” stadium tour, which will surely bring 5 Seconds of Summer only more positive attention and new screaming fans. For this up and coming band, the future looks brighter than ever.

Page 15

Divergent takes the big screen

Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director ■ By Dani Roth (‘15) Eastside Entertainment Editor

Directed by Neil Berger, Divergent focuses on Beatrice “Tris” Prior (Shailene Woodley), who lives in the future city of Chicago. In theaters starting March 21, some viewers expected to watch a similar film to that of The Hunger Games trilogy. The two series share the same theme, target audience and setting. Most importantly, however, Divergent was also adapted from Veronica Roth’s novel to theaters nationwide. Roth’s novel takes place in a dystopiandivided city, which is divided into five factions. Every year, all sixteenyear-olds take an aptitude test that determines their place of residence. All five divisions have a certain significance: Abnegation focuses on selflessness; Amity centers on peace; Candor concentrates on honesty; Dauntless addresses bravery; and Erudite oversees knowledge. After taking the test, the sixteen-year-olds must then decide if they want to remain with their families or relocate to a different faction. If one decides to leave and enter a new faction, he must rank in the top ten of that faction’s initiation, or else that person will be without a faction. The plot of the book and movie centers on Tris and her love interest, Four (Theo James), and their discovery on the government’s corrupt ways. Upon taking the test, Tris discovers she is “divergent,” indicating she does not have a designated faction. After learning this, Tris finds out about a conspiracy led by the Erudite leader, Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), to overthrow the other factions and destroy people marked as “divergent”. This 496-page book offers readers a never-ending action-packed read, filled with adventure. Fans of the novel expected nothing less of the 140 minute film. Similar to The Hunger Games, Divergent is a trilogy, and will have two films following Divergent. Its sequel, Insurgent, is already in the works and is scheduled to be released on March 20, 2015. The third film, Allegiant, based on the final book of the series, is expected to be in theaters March 18, 2016.


HUMOR

Page 16

EASTSIDE

School enforcement of “no hat” policy upsets students

■ By Julia Rothkoff (‘16) Eastside Community Editor

Teachers have recently begun working harder than ever to enforce the “no hats” rule at East. Upset students, who now arrive at school hat-less, are voicing their complaints. “My hat conceals my darkest secrets. I feel naked without it,” said Bobby Herman (’17) as he leaned over to feed his darkest secret: a turtle. “My turtle will sure miss the smell and taste of my coconut Herbal Essences shampoo,” said Herman. Herman then proceeded to give his turtle a hug, almost crushing it. Soon he started crying about how he would not have his best friend around him during school anymore. Herman was not the only student to hide a pet in a hat. Kevin Williams (’14) used his Hot Topic beanie to house a litter of pug puppies. “I always hid my pug in my hat because my parents were never home to take care of her. One day, I was in math and I felt something weird going on in my hat. I went to the bathroom to see

what was going on and it turns out my pug had babies. I didn’t know she was pregnant,” said Williams. Other students have been hiding their beloved electronic appliances. Joseph King (‘15) has b e e n keeping his pager in his Phillies baseball cap. “ M y pager is six inches long and way t o o

large to carry in my backpack due to my excessive number of books, so I put it in my baseball cap on top of my head. I will miss paging m y m o m a l l day,” s a i d King. Christina Plant (’16) revealed that she

Art by Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

was hiding none other than another hat in her sombrero. “My history teacher always yells at me to take off my hat. After I take it off, she’s surprised to see another hat! She tells me again to take off my hat. Once I’m finished taking off, like, my tenth hat, she gets so frustrated that she makes me sit in the back of the room alone,” said Plant. Plant’s actions amazed Frank Jones, a reporter for the Weekly World News. “I believe that she’s a reincarnation of Bartholomew Cubbins,” said Jones, referencing the famous Dr. Seuss character. A new notice has appeared on the East website saying that students are now forbidden from wearing socks to school due to the discovery of pets in students’ socks.

April 2014

News briefs logo by Helena Sirken (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

PARCC exam inquires about students’ local playground preferences. Senior sleeps through entire seven-hour school day. A new strand of Senioritis is brought back from Disney. Student slides into DM and breaks his hip. Student falls asleep in class and wakes up in a new Bugatti. Junior class requests 7:30 p.m. start time. Student reaches high score in his “shoe game.” Wraps intended to be made with matzah for Passover.

Senior prank saves the fate of road signs in Driver’s Ed room ■ By Emma Silverstone (‘15)

Eastside Staff

People are seeing more road signs than usual these days. Members of the senior class have decided to take all of the road signs from East’s Driver’s Education classroom and place them back where they belong: on the sides of the roads throughout the community. The idea came about when one senior, Ben Jackson (’14), was sitting at home one day. “I was just really bored, and I decided that I wanted to leave the school feeling like I had accomplished something. So I thought that taking all the traffic signs would be a good prank,” he said. Jackson said that he figured he could make a fun prank without injuring anyone. “It’s not like we were

gonna be pouring hot liquid ting yelled at for taking the Jack Remsfeld (’14) said, on a teacher,” he said. “It signs.” “It’s really unfair that the was a harmless prank.” Another senior thought road signs have to sit there In order to execute the that the lecture hall was all lonely in the lecture plan without anyone becoming suspicious of their behavior, a few senior class members went into Lecture Hall 1 every couple of days during LB1 to take signs. They only took about three signs a day so that, according Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor to Kate The empty walls of Lecture Hall 1 are a cause for celebration. All the Bloomfield road signs have been returned to their rightful places on the roads. (’14), “we wouldn’t have to worry about people a bad home for the road hall. They were made to noticing and then us getsigns. help people when driving,

not to sit and look stupid on a wall.” The prank even affected students who take Driver’s Education. “I looked up from my seat in Driver’s Ed and saw that there weren’t any signs anywhere. I panicked and started doing hand signals to replace the missing signs,” said Alice Smith (‘16). The Driver’s Education teachers were confused and angry when they first saw the empty walls of the lecture hall. Once they noticed the community’s improved traffic conditions, though, they appreciated the senior prank. Most senior pranks are created to be silly, but this year’s senior class helped to make things right. “From now on, the Driver’s Education room will be a proper learning envirment for all students,” said Remsfeld.

Cafeterias host East’s newest delicacy, the “Pani-sand-sawin” ■ By Haley Schultz (‘14)

Eastside News/Features Editor

Aramark finished creating its newest sandwich last week. The famous Aramark chefs have been working on this delicacy for several years. Now, they’ve finally perfected it. Their anticipated lunchtime treat is called the “Pani-sandsawin.” The Pani-sand-sawin is a rarity. Its name is derived from its ingredients. “The sandwich actually has sand in it,” said Roger Ericson, the head chef at Aramark. “We’ve never added something like this in our sandwiches, but we tested it out in a study we did at Olive Garden and the customers seemed to enjoy

it.” The sandwich has been tested in various local chains, including Olive Garden and Old Country Buffet. The chefs at Aramark did not receive any negative feedback on the sandwich. The ‘sawin’ in the name of the sandwich stands for some other ingredients in the panini, including salt, anchovies, Wheat Thins and Nutella. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for three years. After I heard about the new panini and its ingredients, I went bonkers. I have never been so excited in my life,” said Greg Thudson (’14), while standing in line to order the first Panisand-sawin. In fact, seniors like

Thudson have been anticipating this new sandwich since they were freshmen. No wonder they were so excited last week, when Ms. Helen Rosen, the head lunch lady, gave out the first Pani-sand-sawin. “The sandwich has the perfect balance of sweet and salty,” said Rachel Charleston (’16). As the rest of the week went on, word of the sandwiches circulated through the school. In the hallways. everyone has been talking about this new treat. The lunch ladies have been running out of sandwiches by the end of each lunch period. If you would like to try one of these new specialties, you better be quick. People won’t hesitate to trample you.

Miku Fujita (‘16)/ Eastside Staff

Students pose with the newest panini right before devouring the delicacy.


HUMOR

April 2014

EASTSIDE

Page 17

The term “helicopter parent” has never been so literal ■ By Gilana Levavi (‘14)

Eastside Opinions Editor

Cherry Hill parents have long been known for their involvement in their children’s school lives. Parents, formerly known as “helicopter parents” because of their tendency to figuratively hover over their children, are now employing unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to literally hover over their children. “I’ve always been a helicopter mom,” said Mrs. Ima Watchya, mother of Joey Watchya (‘15). “But before I got a parental drone, I used to get sick with worry whenever my kids went, say, to school for the day, and I couldn’t go with them.” This parental drone model is equipped with a camera that directly streams to the parent’s television screen, computer screen or even smartphone. Parents can record messages, or type them, to be instantaneously spoken to the child by the drone. They can also set reminders to be

are delivered. “I love the text-tospeech feature of my DroneParent101, and the way it is seamlessly synchronized to my iPhone 5C,” said Will Seeyoo. “My daughter is a perpetual in-class texter. I use our drone to remind her to stop.” His daughter, Donna Seeyoo (‘17), said that while she is still getting used to the Drone Parent101, which constantly hovers approximately 3.27 inches above her head, it is more or less a fairly okay addition to her life. The drones, a oneway communication system, do not allow children to speak back to their parents through them, as that would be rude and Photo Illustration by Alison Wooten (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor disrespectful to the parents. A DroneParent101 keeps watch as a student studies. They are, of course, synced to ProgressBook, which sends sent to their child at a later volume and tone of voice automated and parent-custime, and can adjust the with which the messages

tomized reminders about missing assignments and low grades to students. “My class is filled with them,” said science teacher Mr. Joe Skahler. “Sometimes it seems like there are more drones in class than students.” Researchers are currently developing a system that delivers messages directly to the child’s brain. This would decrease external noise produced by the drone and make drone supervision even more efficient that it already is. “The parent drone technology is revolutionizing the concept of ‘helicopter parents,’” said Dr. Dronen Ahn, a parenting expert who consults to parental drone design companies. “It’s truly the best application of unmanned aerial devices since Amazon package drones.” Despite some minor flaws, unmanned aerial vehicles are a terrific tool for parents to help their children manage the challenges of their minute-tominute lives.

headed to the Philadelphia airport en route to sunny Orlando, Florida. After a two-hour flight threatened by an arctic blast swirling off the Gulf of Mexico, the senior class got off the plane and the fun began. “A lot of turbulence, but I’m used to the air,” Ethan Tinkerbell (’14) chimed in. After a long trip from the airport to the actual parks, Cravis lined the students up in alphabetical order and then wildly pronounced, “Let the games begin!” One after another, each senior began tripping his peers. Tripping from the heels to the knees, East students were falling over one another and having a blast. As the morning wore on, the speed of the tripping began to intensify; the fun meter registered off the charts. Goofy even stopped by, knocking Cravis over with his brown loafers. There was also a photo booth where, for 20 dollars,

students could buy a picture of themselves either being tripped or tripping someone else. Peter Panella (‘14) said all he could hear were the chaperones yelling, “Mufasa! Mufasa!” but he was all “tangled” up and was unable to keep up with the speed. After an unreal 26 minutes of tripping, the students and staff wearily boarded the plane and headed back to New Jersey with not only sad, remorseful faces, but also a lifetime of memories. “Wow, just wow. I can’t believe how amazing it was. Senior Trip is truly the best thing ever I experienced at East, and it only cost 1,100 dollars,” raved Donald Pluto (‘14). The seniors will remember this trip for the rest of their lives. The cuts will heal and turn into scars, but the memories will not fade. The memories they made will be with the senior class forever.

Scarred student shares Senior Trip experience ■ By Ethan Tinkerbell (‘14) Eastside Staff

Kneecaps will be shattered but hearts will be warmed during the amazing time of this year’s East Senior Trip. I, Ethan Tinkerbell, thought that this would be the most mesmerizing experience of my life. But from the moment we arrived at the magical world of Disney, I realized that I was wrong. This would not be a time to cherish. This would be an experience that I would need to forget. For weeks, my friends and I had been practicing tripping. We had developed swift moves and held competitions on the weekends. Tripping was my favorite and most enjoyable hobby. A few weeks ago, my mother and I got into an argument because I was just having fun and decided to trip her as she was carrying our finest china. The china hilariously smashed on the floor as she fell and broke her hip. As Senior Trip rolled around the corner, I packed my suitcase and filled out the final forms necessary to participate in this “wonderful” trip. I made sure to throw in my best tripping shoes, my lucky tripping underwear, and my “Guide to Tripping” booklet, which I would read on the flight there. After dozing off for an hour, I was jolted awake by our plane’s shaky landing. We had arrived at our destination of Orlando, Florida. We quickly strolled through the airport. After gathering our group and luggage, we loaded onto the

bus and headed to Disney. Within fifteen minutes, we reached the park’s majestic gates and proceeded to enter the tripping site. Mr. JC Cravis alphabetically lined up the students, and belted, “Let the games begin!” Students were being tripped left and right. One by one they fell to the ground. My defensive tripping skills kicked in and I scanned the area for possible attackers. I noticed that even Cravis was tripped by another chaperone. As I hustled across the park, I witnessed many other students fall, one of them being my good friend Donald Pluto. I got closer to him and offered a helping hand to pick him up. This was the moment I realized I had made the biggest mistake. With one powerful blow, Donald swept my leg out from under me. I crashed to the ground as he rose above me. He had a horrifying look of victory and satisfaction on his face. My own friend had tripped me! What kind of a trip was this? I thought it would be a fun week of park-hopping through Disney. Throughout this upsetting day, I was tripped multiple times. Once by Cravis, and once by my mom, who had secretly flown down to Florida seeking revenge. Being tripped on Senior Trip was the worst experience of my life…but I’m sure the trippers enjoyed it. I would like to personally thank all of the seniors who attended Senior Trip. It was an experience that I will try to forget for the rest of my life. Story actually written by Ethan Tinkelman (‘16)/ Eastside Staff

Senior Trip is not what seniors expected ■ By Brett Dashevsky (‘16) Eastside Staff

Last month, the Cherry Hill East seniors finally arrived home from the annual Senior Trip. At press time, they were still raving about their unforgettable trip. “It’s unreal how fast Senior Trip came,” said Aladdin Jenkins (’14). “I’ve been waiting for this moment since my first day of high school and it finally came. I just can’t believe it.” Students excitedly arrived at East at exactly 4:30 a.m. on March 14 as Mr. JC Cravis, the head of Student Activities, checked their suitcases for any contraband. “You don’t want a bad trip,” he quipped, as students rolled their eyes at his latest one-liner. “I’ve been waiting since fall for this trip... get it? Get it?!” yelped East drum major, Bambi Stevens (‘14), as the seniors hopped onto the Greyhound. They were

Photo courtesy of yourfirstvisit.net Photo Illustration by Jordan Stein (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor

Donald Pluto (‘14) gracefully trips Ethan Tinkerbell (‘14) at the Senior Trip.


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EASTSIDE

April 2014


SPORTS

April 2014

Club Scout: Yoga Club ■ By Marlee Zeitz (‘16)

Eastside Sports Editor

Nothing to do on a Friday afternoon after school? Check out the Yoga Club in B248 for a stress-free, active, good time. A video instructing yoga from the website “Yoga Journal” is played on the SmartBoard while participants are spaced out in the classroom on yoga mats with desks pushed to the side. This club was started last year by junior girls interested in finding alternative ways to exercise, relax and releive stress. “It’s a really wonderful way for students to cope with stress,” said Ms. Alicia DeMarco, the club’s adviser. The club follows a very strict structure called “vinyasa.” A vinyasa is a specific sequence of breathsynchronized movements used to transition between sustained postures. DeMarco explained that maintaining the vinyasa structure is the key to acheiving maximum stress relief.

“The more they practice it, the more they can really understand the subtleties of their bodies and their breath,” said DeMarco. The club is essentially a begginer class. Participants go at their own pace. “If a student struggles with a posture, they know they can go into a resting pose if they feel like it’s too strenuous,” said DeMarco. The students create strong bonds with one another and feel a sense of trust in one another by the end of each session. “The girls right now are very supportive of each other. They are very interested in the activity of yoga, and they recognize the value of it in their lives,” DeMarco said. Yoga is an activity for anyone—boy or girl, all grades. DeMarco has over a decade of experience with yoga and believes this is a great club not just because of the physical aspect, but for the mental preparation as well. Participants are always looking to have fun while working out, which is something this club provides for them.

Andi Leff (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor

The Yoga Club provides a way to relieve stress.

EASTSIDE

Page 19

Intermural basketball league provides students athletic opportunities out of school ■ By Ross Peterzell (‘14) Eastside Staff

that. Five of the nine teams in the league consist of all East students. Every team gets to play each other once, but games are intense, especially between inter-East matchups. A highlighted rivalry between two East teams consists of the Black team, the “Black Dingoes,” formerly known as “Corn Cobb Na-

1 of the 2014 campaign. The Wombats acquired their name from the 2011 film, The Green Hornet, where the unrecognized sidekick was named “The Blue Wombat.” It may just be a recreational league, but weekly stats, team standings and league leaders are posted in a closed Facebook group consisting of all members

It is Wednesday night at the Katz JCC. Students from schools all over the Camden County area congregate together for their weekly matchups, all for recreational fun, as part of the Martin Tepper Memorial Basketball League. “ T h e league is meant to give a chance to kids with a love for basketball to play who may not get the opportunity to play for their high school,” league commissioner Ben Saltzburg said. The league is set up in nine teams, all separated by jersey colCourtesy of Ross Peterzell (‘14) Two East teams, the Blue Wombats and the Black Dingoes, have a or. “It is a heated rivalry in the Katz JCC’s intermural basketball league. fun, semicompetitive, intense league,” said Abe tion,” named after star in the league, which makes Granoff (’14), four- year guard Azlan Cobb (’14), and for an enjoyable, semi-commember of the Blue team, the “Blue Wombats,” dating petitive experience. who go by the “Blue Womback to the 2013 season. “It may just be for fun, bats.” “It all started last year but the kids love it. The FaThe Wednesday night inwhen there was a bunch of cebook group makes players termural league breaks up trash talk between the two find more importance in the the week nicely for players. teams. [The Wombats] were games they play, and I feel “It’s something to look the only team that could kids strive to be mentioned forward to. Even if we lose, back their talk up and beat on the page,” Saltzburg said it’s still a great time I can [The Dingoes],” said Graof his Facebook group. share with my good friends,” noff. At the end of the day, the said Brett Dashevsky (‘16) “We are called the ‘Black Martin Tepper Memorial of the Light Blue team. Dingoes’ because the dinBasketball League serves That’s really the purpose goes are the wombats’ main as an opportunity for high of the league, but when a predator, so we eat them school students at any skill load of fierce, aggressive basically,” said Jordan Gillevel to step into the gym high school boys contest ber (’14), who led the Dinand feel like superstars, each other on the court, it goes to a hard-fought win yet walk out and leave it goes much further than over the Wombats in Week behind.

Senior baseball players prime for one final winning season ■ By Luke Hinrichs (‘17)

Eastside Staff

Spring is among us, which means that baseball season has begun. It is time for the student athletes to buy fresh new cleats and break in their new gloves. The East Cougars varsity baseball team, no doubt, will come out ready to play. For some seniors, this is the last time they will play baseball competitively; but not for a fortunate few. A select group of talented players will go on to the next level in college. Class of 2014 students Jordan Lee, Jordan Friedman, Mike Brambilla, Nick Ciocco and Nick DiEva are East baseball players who will continue to play in college. Expectations are high for the team to compete well this season. Ciocco, Brambilla and DiEva have committed to Division I schools, St. Peter’s University, Monmouth and Stony Brook, respectively. DiEva, Lee, Ciocco, Friedman Lee will be attending their schools. the University of Sciences, a Division II school, and Friedman will be playing at Rowan University, a Division III school. Even though these students already know where they will be playing after graduation, they still have a deep connec-

tion to their current East team. They have a strong desire to reach the state championship and win it. “I want to win,” Ciocco said, “we are hungry for wins. We are going to be very strong this season, so our time is now.” Now that there is no pressure to look good for college scouts, they are able to relax and play for the love of the game. For this upcoming season, there is nothing but confidence coming from the players. “We will win the conference,” said Brambilla. These senior players will be part of a challenging and exciting season. East plays in the Olympic Conference, one of the toughest conferences in the state. “We are definitely the team to beat,” said DiEva. All five of these players, as well as the entire varsity squad, share the same gratitude toward the East baseball program for the years of experience and knowledge Courtesy of Nick Ciocco (‘14) they have gained. and Brambilla sign papers to attend They owe their college careers to the integrity and diligence they learned from East baseball. They are excited to end this season in style. “We’re ready to go out strong,” Lee said. “We’re looking to end this season with a bang.”

Statistics from some of East’s top players

Nick DiEva: 28.33 IP (innings pitched) 2.72 ERA (earned run average) 43 K (strikeouts) .167 BAA (batting average allowed) 4-year varsity starter Jordan Lee: Started JV last year. Lee has only had one varsity at bat in his baseball career at East. Nick Ciocco: 8 HBP (hit by pitch) Hit 12 doubles in 2012, 3rd all time for doubles in a season. 12 SB (stolen bases) 4-year varsity starter Jordan Friedman: .300 BA 14 RBI 9 BB 2-year varsity starter Mike Brambilla: 25.33 IP 3.59 ERA 22 K 1.342 WHIP .220 BAA 4-year varsity starter


SPORTS

April 2014

EASTSIDE

Page 20

New technology has improved running times over the decades

■ By Jacob Borowsky (‘16) Eastside Sports Editor

A sport and a hobby as old as mankind, running has hit new heights in the past 20 years. With the rise of the Internet has come new knowledge about the most beneficial things to eat, wear or do in order to improve how one runs. As the sport has become more legitimate in the eyes of society, the competition in distance running has increased astronomically. “Running over the past decade or so has become a huge hobby. Just look out your window on a Saturday morning and you’ll see couples jogging, people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, even,” said spring track and field coach Mr. Anthony Maniscalco. “Running is almost a fad now. One of the main reasons that running has reached this point is mainly due to the Internet and the amount of information available to people now.” Running times have dropped immensely due to

various advancements in the sport. Running times that were considered remarkable in the ‘90s are today considered average. “In the ‘90s, just breaking five minutes in the mile was a distinction. Now it is so commonplace that no one would bat an eye at it,” Maniscalco said. “Now, there are so many high school kids who can run in the 4:20’s, and the elite kids will typically run under 4:20. In the ‘90s, if you got around 10 minutes in the two-mile, you would advance to the state meet— that’s not the case anymore. We have two athletes here at East, Ben Dillon (’14) and Aaron Groff (’16), who have run 9:34 and they’re only going to get better.” Now that running is a highly competitive sport, runners must find new ways to gain an edge over their competitors. One of the many ways that runners can achieve peak form is through an improved diet. “In terms of foods, elite runners are always looking

for an edge, whether it’s a particular sports drink, or a supplement,” Maniscalco said. “I’m a believer that a diet can improve your running performance dramatically. I tell my athletes to cut out sweets and even grain foods like bread— those are all sugar, which many people don’t realize.” Running attire has changed drastically over the past two decades as well. Newer clothing and technological advancements at the time would have been either too expensive or seen as unnecessary. “Back in high school, people usually just wore basketball shorts and any cotton T-shirt. Now, you’ll see kids wear heat-gear, Under Armour, material that can breathe. People wearing those items back then was much less common. I think people would have felt silly wearing what they do now, but now it’s so commonplace that no one thinks twice about it. Today, we wouldn’t take a kid seriously who was out on the track in basketball

shorts. That’s a dead giveaway that he is probably not a good runner,” Maniscalco said. New technology includes lighter, less wind-resistant shirts and pants, compression socks and, most importantly, major changes to the weight and shape of running shoes. “What’s really interesting is that it is not uncommon now to see most runners wearing short-shorts. Ten years ago, you might have been laughed at for wearing them,” Mansicalco said. “If you’re going to be a serious athlete, you have to be wearing the appropriate gear, which is short-shorts, compression shorts and compression socks. Compression socks are crucial to runners if you’re having shin splints, calf pain or anything of the sort. Ideally, if the school allowed, they would be shirtless most of the time. For shoes, we tell runners to get fitted at Haddonfield Running Company, where they’ll mold their shoes to fit their feet.”

Maniscalco added that more important to a runner’s time than the clothing or footwear that a runner has are some of the other miscellaneous new technologies invented in the last 20 years. Some technologies include “The Stick,” which is a grooved stick used to roll out knots and muscle tightness and a foam roller to eliminate joint and muscle pains. Maniscalco also noted that Garmin watches are crucial to improving a runner’s time, as they can simultaneously keep track of a runner’s distance, pace and time. As newer technology comes out in the years to come, running times will continue to drop to new lows. There is a reason why so many of the runners holding all-time East records have graduated in the past few years. Over the past 20 years, running has gone from just being another sport to becoming a trend, and now is also a serious competitive sport. Art by Rachel Pacitti (‘15)/ Eastside Art Director

Berman’s passion for running will continue in college

team her sophomore year running into the winter State Meet this year. and was pushed a lot by indoor track season. Her “It was a really good seaher. It did take some time two main events were son for me,” Berman said. for her to get used to the the 1600m (mile) and the Now, Berman is trying distances and the to pick a colCherry Hill physical aspect of lege where she High School East running cross counwill run next has been home try. year. Running to phenomenal “At first it was is a passion for runners on its the longest I had Berman and cross country ever run,” said Berdoing it at the and track teams. man on her first collegiate level Maddy Berman race. “I just had to is a big goal for (’14) is one runwork into it.” her. She perner who is truly Berman continsonally has a passionate about ued to grow stronlist of schools her sport. ger as a runner after she is considBerman has her sophomore year. ering, but at a story that is a This year, she was the moment is little different able to place sixth in not quite sure from most varsity sectionals at the end where she will runners at East. of the cross country end up. When she came season. Along with “I am really, to this school Berman’s sixth really into it,” four years ago, place individual finBerman said. she was a soccer ish, the team placed “Running is player. In fact, fifth overall at secone thing that I she was actually tionals. absolutely love good enough to This past season to do.” play on the JV was more of a sucCurrently, team as a freshcess for Berman Berman is in man. However, than the year prior the midst of the Berman suffered and it was the first spring track from a foot injury Kayla Schorr (‘14)/ Eastside Editor-in-Chief Jordan Stein (‘14)/ Eastside Photo Editor season and is time the team qualiand was unable Berman runs track and cross country. fied in five years. Berman will continue to run in college. deciding on a to finish out that Most of the light is college. She season. Berman. shined on the boys’ cross will definitely Fortunately for Berman, Switching sports once country team because it 3200m (two-mile) races. continue her successful girls’ cross country coach she was healthy and pursuhas been very successful She was very successful in running career after leavMr. Anthony Maniscalco ing running seemed to be in recent years. However, the 3200m race and made it ing the hallways of Cherry saw her running potential the right choice for Berman. the girls have reached their to sectionals. At sectionals, Hill East as one of the best and got her to try running She was able to run with the own level of success. she placed second overall distance runners in the procross country her sophotop girl on the cross country Berman continued her and advanced to the Indoor gram’s history. more year. ■ By Nick Ciocco (‘14)

Eastside Sports Editor

“Maniscalco was a big influence when I began running and one of the reasons I chose to pursue it,” said


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